Judas begins the move towards betraying Jesus. Many scholars think Judas could perhaps be trying to force Jesus to become an earthly king by betraying him. I think this could be true. But whatever the historical reality may be, there is a deeper spiritual reality. Scripture tells us that Satan enters into Judas. There is a spiritual reality at play right here. There are always deeper things at play in life, some good, like God’s presence. Some, like spiritual warfare, are more challenging. Always know that there is a spiritual reality there at all times. Let’s hold on tight to Jesus in all things.

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Good morning, and happy Monday! As you can see, things look a little different today. This week, I’m in classes for my doctoral program, so I’ll be working from home and joining via Zoom. I’m admittedly not the biggest fan of technology for learning, but we’ll see how it goes!

So, since I won’t be in the office, I’m doing Rooted from home. Today, we’re diving into John 13:21-30, a powerful passage. Let’s read together:

“After Jesus said this, He was troubled in spirit and testified, ‘Very truly, I tell you, one of you is going to betray me…’” The passage goes on to describe Jesus identifying Judas as His betrayer and the disciples’ reactions.

Now, in this scene, we tend to picture a formal dinner setup, like Da Vinci’s Last Supper. But back then, it was a more intimate setting, likely closer to reclining on the floor rather than sitting at a high table. This setup made it easy for misunderstandings to happen among the disciples. Here, Jesus quietly tells John who will betray Him. Most of the disciples don’t overhear, which is why they’re confused about Judas leaving the room.

As for Judas, some theories suggest he may have been trying to force Jesus’ hand, hoping to spark a revolution, but John’s Gospel hints at a deeper spiritual struggle at work. Satan enters Judas, reinforcing a spiritual reality behind these events. While Judas made his choice, this betrayal was part of a larger, divine plan.

Sometimes, the spiritual reality in life isn’t immediately visible, but it’s always there. My wife often reminds me of this, especially during challenges, saying, “This is spiritual warfare.” For some of us, the supernatural can feel intimidating because it’s beyond our control. But God’s presence, even in spiritual battles, is constant.

So today, remember: make wise choices, but also stay aware of the spiritual dimension in life. God is with us through everything—good and challenging.

Thank you for joining me. Tomorrow, we’ll continue in John 13, exploring how Peter, too, struggles in his loyalty to Jesus. Have a blessed day, and I’ll see you then!